retreat, I think we will get them in a close place to-morrow. Please inform if there is any communication by telegraph with General Forrest.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. R. BARTEAU,

Colonel, Commanding.

GAINESVILLE, February 20, 1864.

Brigadier-General RUGGLES:

Dispatch received. Will leave in half hour for my command. You can communicate with me here or at Macon. Answer.

S. D. LEE,

Major-General.

VERNON, MISS., February 20, 1864.

Lieutenant-General POLK:

The enemy is moving out on the Wire road toward Yazoo City, from 1,000 to 1,500 infantry, 250 to 350 cavalry, a few pieces of artillery, and some wagons. Some gun-boats and transports in Yazoo River. Colonel Mabry with his brigade is moving to meet them. Cannonading now above Mechanicsburg.

BLAKE.

Abstract from return of the army in the Department of the Gulf, Major General Dabney H. Maury, C. S. Army, commanding, February 20, 1864; headquarters Mobile, Ala.

Present for

duty.

Command. Officers. Men. Effective

total

present.

General staff 14 --- ---

Cantey's brigade:

Brigade staff 6 --- ---

Infantry 160 2,305 2,428

Cavalry 16 154 188

Shoup's brigade, artillery 120 1,296 1,371

Total 302 3,755 3,987

Baldwin's brigade, infantry 114 1,323 1,403

Mackall's brigade, infantry 56 503 538

Total 170 1,826 1,941

Quarles' brigade, infantry 150 1,137 1,218

McNair's brigade, infantry 104 803 927

Total 254 1,940 2,145

Higgins' brigade:

Artillery 54 887 1,004

Cavalry 6 206 218

Total 60 1,093 1,222

Grand total a 800 8,614 9,295

Command. Aggregate Aggregate Pieces of

total present field

present. and artillery

absent. .

General staff 14 14 ---

Cantey's brigade:

Brigade staff 6 8 ---

Infantry 2,890 3,637 ---

Cavalry 215 288 ---

Shoup's brigade, artillery 1,587 2,869 24

Total 4,698 6,802 24

Baldwin's brigade, infantry 1,618 2,925 ---

Mackall's brigade, infantry 635 1,908 ---

Total 2,253 4,833 ---

Quarles' brigade, infantry 1,423 2,130 ---

McNair's brigade, infantry 1,073 2,012 ---

Total 2,496 4,142 ---

Higgins' brigade: ---

Artillery 1,105 1,307 ---

Cavalry 238 333 ---

Total 1,343 1,640 ---

Grand total a 10,804 17,431 24

a Maury's cavalry command being detached at different points in the State and coasts of Mississippi and Alabama, no return of the command has been received.

50 R R-VOL XXXII, PT II